Horse Feeding Device

Abstract

The present invention is in the field of a horse feeding device and a method of feeding a horse. The feeding device (100) allows for a controlled and typically in time limited uptake of feed by a horse, taking into account the natural behavior of the horse in this respect. It therewith reduces various physical disorders and improves mental well-being of the horse.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . An individual horse feeding device for use inside or outside a horse box, wherein the use is for reducing at least one of a gastro-enteric disorder, a digestion disorder, a stomach disorder, and a mental disorder, comprising
 a container for maintaining forage, having a volume of 50 dm 3 -300 dm 3 , wherein the container has a single forage access, which access is substantially at a top side of the container, wherein the shape of the container is preferably a regular prism,   comprising at least one horizontal forage blocker, selected from a vertically moveable grid, or a vertically moveable bottom,   at least one height positioner for moving the forage blocker, wherein the at least one height positioner is for vertically moving the at least one forage blocker at at least one edge thereof,   an electrical controller, wherein the controller is in electrical contact with the positioner and capable of activating the positioner, and wherein the controller is adapted to optimize feed provision for an individual horse, and   a timer which is capable of dosing forage by adapting the forage blocker by allowing forage for a predetermined period of time and preventing forage during at least one predetermined interval, wherein the timer is adapted to make the forage accessible during an opening period of 1-10 minutes, and wherein the timer is adapted to thereafter make the forage not accessible during an interval of 1-60 minutes.   
     
     
         26 . The horse feeding device according to  claim 25 , wherein the positioner comprises at least one shaft providing vertical movement, such as a worm gear, and wherein the forage blocker is in mechanical contact with the at least one shaft, or wherein the at least one positioner is a scissor lift, wherein the at least one positioner in operation is driven by an electromotor, preferably a brushless DC-motor. 
     
     
         27 . The horse feeding device according to  claim 26 , wherein the electromotor comprises a rotation sensor and/or a multi-turn resistor. 
     
     
         28 . The horse feeding device according to  claim 25 , wherein the vertically moveable grid is made of stainless steel or rigid polymer, preferably polished stainless steel or POM, and/or wherein vertically moveable grid openings are from 4*4 cm 2  to 10*10 cm 2 , or wherein a distance between adjacent bars is 40-80 mm, and wherein the vertically moveable grid is adapted to an animal intended to use the present device. 
     
     
         29 . The horse feeding device according to  claim 25 , wherein the timer and controller are integrated, or are separate entities capable of wireless contact, such as with one and another, with wireless devices, such as computers, laptops, smartphones, and tablets. 
     
     
         30 . The horse feeding device according to  claim 25 , further comprising a detector, preferably a wireless detector, such as an RFID detector, and/or
 a locator, the locator adapted to determine a height of the vertically moveable grid or bottom, and/or   software, such as software for training, and for status update, and/or   calibration information, and/or   at least one control button, which at least one control button is accessible by an opening in a protecting plate.   
     
     
         31 . The horse feeding device according to  claim 25 , wherein the vertically moveable grid is made of stainless steel or rigid polymer, preferably polished stainless steel or POM, and/or wherein vertically moveable grid openings are from 4*4 cm 2  to 10*10 cm 2 , or wherein a distance between adjacent bars is 40-80 mm, and wherein the vertically moveable grid is adapted to an animal intended to use the present device, the device further comprising a detector, preferably a wireless detector, such as an RFID detector, and/or
 a locator, the locator adapted to determine a height of the vertically moveable grid or bottom, and/or   software, such as software for training, and for status update, and/or   calibration information, and/or   at least one control button, which at least one control button is accessible by an opening in a protecting plate.   
     
     
         32 . The horse feeding device according to  claim 25 , wherein the positioner for moving the forage blocker is adapted to move at least one cover between an open and closed position or for moving the bottom or vertically moveable grid upwards or downwards. 
     
     
         33 . The horse feeding device according to  claim 25 , wherein the container is triangular, rectangular, pentangular, or hexangular. 
     
     
         34 . The horse feeding device according to  claim 25 , wherein the vertically moveable grid is detachably attached, wherein a fixator of the positioner can be removed, and wherein the vertically moveable grid can be move away. 
     
     
         35 . The horse feeding device according to  claim 25 , wherein the forage blocker comprises a removable horizontal cover for covering at least partly at least a top side of the container, wherein the at least one cover is selected from a flexible material, such as a polymer sheet, from a shutter, a screen, a second grid having small openings, a sliding cover, a rolling cover, a rotating cover, and an iris-shaped cover. 
     
     
         36 . The horse feeding device according to  claim 25 , further comprising at least one of a housing, and an anchoring point. 
     
     
         37 . The horse feeding device according to  claim 25 , wherein the forage blocker comprises a removable horizontal cover for covering at least partly at least a top side of the container, wherein the at least one cover is selected from a flexible material, such as a polymer sheet, from a shutter, a screen, a second grid having small openings, a sliding cover, a rolling cover, a rotating cover, and an iris-shaped cover and wherein the positioner for moving the forage blocker is adapted to move at least one cover between an open and closed position or for moving the bottom or vertically moveable grid upwards or downwards. 
     
     
         38 . The horse feeding device according to  claim 25 , wherein the forage blocker comprises a removable horizontal cover for covering at least partly at least a top side of the container, wherein the at least one cover is selected from a flexible material, such as a polymer sheet, from a shutter, a screen, a second grid having small openings, a sliding cover, a rolling cover, a rotating cover, and an iris-shaped cover and wherein the container is triangular, rectangular, pentangular, or hexangular. 
     
     
         39 . The horse feeding device according to  claim 25 , wherein the forage blocker comprises a removable horizontal cover for covering at least partly at least a top side of the container, wherein the at least one cover is selected from a flexible material, such as a polymer sheet, from a shutter, a screen, a second grid having small openings, a sliding cover, a rolling cover, a rotating cover, and an iris-shaped cover and wherein the positioner for moving the forage blocker is adapted to move at least one cover between an open and closed position or for moving the bottom or vertically moveable grid upwards or downwards and wherein the container is triangular, rectangular, pentangular, or hexangular. 
     
     
         40 . The horse feeding device according to  claim 25 , further comprising at least one of a housing, and an anchoring point and wherein the container is triangular, rectangular, pentangular, or hexangular. 
     
     
         41 . A method of operating a horse feeding device according to  claim 25 , wherein the forage is accessible during an opening period of 1-10 minutes, and thereafter is not accessible during an interval of 1-60 minutes. 
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 41 , wherein the intervals and access are spread evenly over a day. 
     
     
         43 . The method according to  claim 41 , wherein the intervals and access periods are continued for 18-23 hours, and wherein in between the device is not accessible for less than 1-8 hours. 
     
     
         44 . The method according to  claim 41 , wherein the intervals and access are spread evenly over a day and wherein the intervals and access periods are continued for 18-23 hours, and wherein in between the device is not accessible for less than 1-8 hours.